Mad Men fashion for women is at the forefront again with Banana Republic’s new fall collection due out in August. Learn how to recreate the iconic style here.
Set in the 1960s, in New York, Mad Men is a drama following the lives of Madison Avenue advertising men and women who live in a world of competitiveness and ego. The AMC TV drama is styled to be sexy and provocative. Going into the characters private lives as well as their work drama has made this show a huge hit amongst TV watchers as well as revitalizing ’60s fashion.
Who Creates Fashion from Mad Men?
Janie Bryant is the fabulous costume designer behind Mad Men and she has contributed to the shows success as much as any writer could have. By showcasing true 60s styles she has kept fashion folk and global media talking long after the episodes are over. Bryant explains, “The year 1960 is a transitional period in women’s fashion,” she says. “The hemlines are becoming shorter as opposed to the earlier fifties style of a circle skirt.”
Christina Hendricks Fashion For Women
Christina Hendricks plays Joan Holloway in Mad Men and probably showcases the style of the show through her costumes more than any other character. Joan Holloway could be dressed bold and daring as Bryant explains, “Joan is a woman who knows exactly what her assets are, and I think she totally commands that office.” She is known for her form-fitting outfits that never reveal too much skin.
January Jones Fashion For Women
The classic style Bryant went for when it came to the character of Betty Draper, played by January Jones, was a surefire winner. Women and men swooned over her pearls, cashmere sweaters and Hermes style scarves. Her style speaks to her role as an upper-class housewife, where image is important to neighbors and Don Draper’s business associates alike.
More Basic Clothes From Mad Men
Not all the characters are dressed to be vixens or to be the center of attention.
“We don’t want to see everybody looking like a model. The interesting thing about the characters in the show is that everybody is beautiful for being different, each looking like individual characters. With all different body types; curvy, straight, tall, short,” Bryant explains.
For example, let’s look at the character of Peggy Olson. She is new to the advertising world and her dress sense reflects that. She is more innocent and stuck between the work place and her school years. You can see from season to season how her character grows in confidence via her outfit choices. Going from full skirts and scarf ties reminiscent of high school dress codes to ill fitting office wear through to matched accessories and form fitting dresses Olson becomes a woman to be reckoned with.
Mad Men Fashion Banana Republic
The latest on Mad Men fashion is the launch this fall of Banana Republic’s collection in collaboration with the show. The entire collection will be launched in-store and online this coming August based on the styles and looks of the Mad Men characters.
The collection will consist of 65-pieces and will be a team effort between Banana Republic’s team and Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant. Women’s pieces will include pleated skirts, hounds-tooth patterned dresses, silk blouses, and chiffon neck scarves.
Creative director for Banana Republic Simon Kneen described the process working with Bryant, “Working with Janie to gain a true understanding of the Mad Men look and feel was a delight.”
